Acne also known as Acne vulgaris is a dermatological condition which is observed when dead skin cells and skin oil starts clogging up the skin pores. The various terms for acne are used on the basis of severity of conditions; few pimples or red spots is a mild form of acne while if pimples are big in size and in form of red lumps called as cysts which is a severe acne. Acne usually begins in adolescent stage but this condition is not limited to any age group. Major factors causing acne are overproduction by oil glands embedded in skin, hair follicles that release oil gets blocked and growth of Propionibacterium acnes within the hair follicles. According to an article in BMJ (British Medical Journal) nearly 90% of the teenagers are affected by acne and approximately 50% of them continue to experience symptoms as adults. As adults it was observed that by age of 40 years, 5% of women and 1% of men still had lesions formed because of acne. Acne treatment depends mainly on the severity of clinical conditions such as disease stage mild, moderate or chronic. The treatment of mild acne will include use of a face wash or any cleansing formula along with topical application of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Moderate or chronic acne is treated mainly with oral antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, prescription retinoids and providing other antibiotic assistance. The other treatments for acne vulgaris are isotretonin, oral contraceptives, laser and light therapy, cosmetic procedures and acne scar treatments.

The major drivers of acne treatment market are increasing awareness in teens about current and upcoming acne treatments, high global prevalence rate of acne and increasing rate of sedentary lifestyle in teenage and adult population.

The key trends observed in the acne treatment markets are gradual shift of patients towards combination products such as Ziana (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin) and Duac (clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide), increase in safety and efficiency concerns about anti-acne products e.g. in January 2013 French and Netherland health authorities suspended Diane 35 one of the Bayer’s product due to concerns related with its property to increase blood clots.

The therapeutic market of acne treatment is currently dominated by generic products and branded products generally account for the small portion of the overall market. The major slowdown in the anti-acne drug market was observed due to entry of generics and increasing acceptance of alternative anti-acne treatments such as UV/blue light therapy and photodynamic therapy. The major events which will aid the growth of acne treatment market were patent expiration of Epiduo in late 2011 and Duac will expire in 2014.

North America accounts for the largest market share in acne treatment because of according to American Academy of Dermatology; Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40 million to 50 million Americans. It was also observed that mid-teens, more than 40 percent of adolescents have acne or acne scarring, which requires treatment by a dermatologist. In year 2008, the total direct cost associated with the treatment of acne exceeded $2.2 billion, including substantial costs for prescription and over-the-counter products. Europe is observed to be the second largest market for acne treatment and non-invasive cosmetic treatments are observed to be the method of choice by most of the adult patients suffering with acne. Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World are observed to be the mature markets in case of drugs and other products while cosmetic treatments are on a verge of exponential growth especially in the economies such as China, South Korea, India, Japan, Brazil and Mexico.

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